The Cleveland Central High School: A Short Story

“In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

“I was extra careful to pay attention to the other black boys sitting inside […] I studied their postures and their screwfaces, the unlaced purple and turquoise Filas on their feet, their mannerisms […] These boys would never be singled out and dissed the way I had been. I decided I wanted whatever it was that protected them”

“Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship in the United States."

He explained in detail many of the issues with race that he believes “this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America: to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.” Many of the issues discussed were issues that have been a continual complication in America, such as segregated schools. He explained how segregated schools to this day, still are inferior schools. The inferiority of many segregated schools are responsible for countless obstacles for African American’s. Black children often receive a lesser education than white American children, which explains the common difference in achievement between black and white students. Likewise, legalized discrimination is one explanation for a substantial contrast in regards to white and black incomes. Oftentimes, blacks were rejected numerous opportunities to help their situation, such as “ the ability to own property, or approval of loans to African- American business owners, or black home owners who could not access FHA mortgages.” Although many of the racial problems in America involve African Americans, similar issues revolve around the white community. For example, many white American’s feel that they have not received any special treatment, and that black people have. Many times African

“I remember the amazing progress, comparable with that of no other group or race which the Negro has achieved in less than a century of freedom…I recall the immortal message of the Negro National Anthem.”

Transferring to Carencro High School was really terrifying. I was a Lafayette High School student and we just thought we were the best school since we were an A school. Like “ nobody couldn’t tell us anything.” That been my mindset for the past 3 years since I’ve been there. I remember there were times I was like” I can’t wait to leave that school.” I honestly didn’t think I would be leaving so early.

It was my first day of freshman year at Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon. My counselor said to everyone that she couldn’t wait for June 5th, 2015. One might ask, “What is so important about June 5th?” Well, that day was graduation night. In my head I thought “That is an eternity away from now.” It was actually four years that only felt like one. Springfield was a great high school. I was fortunate enough to have friends from elementary and middle school attend the same high school. Having support from your friends I believe, is key in having success, and most importantly fun throughout your high school career. Friends can keep you on track with your studies. I for one, always encouraged my friends to do good in school so that they could walk the stage to grab their diploma.

I am Mr. LaBreck. I am not the Principal of Chocksett Middle School in the Wachusett Regional School District. I am just an ordinary man who lives on a farm with an ordinary house. And ordinary animals. But something out of the ordinary happened

Despite this, Du Bois points out the many downfalls of Washington’s attitude and beliefs about the way in which black people should approach not only their education, but also their basic human rights in America. It’s stated that Washington preaches the idea that black people advance by practicing submission in the forms of forfeiting political power, “insistence on civil rights”, and higher education, instead focusing on industrial education (39). Du Bois shows how problematic this is because of the far reach Washington and his ideas have. Du Bois argues that these particular conventions have, though not as a direct result of Washington, but more specifically because of his propaganda, had much more detrimental consequences for African Americans

There is a school in Rhode Island called Opequonsett High. It is full of jocks, mean girls, and popular kids. Hidden deep inside of the crowd are what you might call the outfitters. Vice Principal Mr. Brenigan wants anything BUT outfitters! The kids who did not fit in were usually the ones who got into trouble. Stella got in trouble for wearing an inappropriate shirt. Wen got in trouble for using bad words in class and Mo got in trouble for skipping class and behaving badly. They all got in big trouble for what they did. While they were in detention, a catchy song started playing. Wen started tapping his foot to the beat, then Stella started tapping on the desk. Finally Mo began humming along. They sounded

I’ve been at Barrington Middle School for three years. It is the place where I transitioned from a child bright-eyed and ready for the world, to the older, if not wiser young adult, that I am today. I’ve been here through the good times and the bad as I went from year to year. I am leaving this institution of knowledge more prepared because of AVID. I am leaving ready for my life ahead.

“Bye McKenzie! See you next year!” exclaimed my friend Kimberly, as i walked to my parents vehicle. I had finished my first year of high school successfully at Brooks County High. As I got into the vehicle my parents greeted me with a curious looking smile on their faces. I smiled back and wondered what news they were hiding from my brother, sister, and I. I asked my brother and sister if they knew what was going on, but they did not know. The suspense was almost unbearable for me to handle.

I can still remember that day... Heart was beating real fast, palms were sweating, stumbling across my words and I honestly felt like the world was coming to an end. Starting over at a new school halfway through the year has got to be every kid’s nightmare. I went from a private to a public school which was the hardest switch of my life.

On one faithful day I started my car and was about to leave Croatan High school. It was a cold January day it wasn’t sunny I wore a black shirt and grey shorts. As I start to pull out my spot into the straight way to get on cougar lane someone stops me. The person that stopped me was my buddy Jacob he made the jester for me roll down my window and so I did and he said. “Hey man do you know when the next test is in Mr. Slater’s class,” to which I reply. “No let me know if you hear otherwise,” and he walked away. I roll the other window down as Stair Way to Heaven comes on and turn up the music. I pull into the straight lane behind three cars and wait for someone to let one person in so the line will die down.

Marvin questions “how’s the average black kid supposed to buy the Bill of Rights when he sees on the street that his own rights aren’t worth shit?”(Ritz 34) Marvin believed that lessons learned in school about American history